Substate Preview: 3A-1

<!-- wp:image {"id":2779239,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/3A-1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/3A-1.png?w=609" alt="" class="wp-image-2779239" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: MOC-Floyd Valley </strong>is the top seed in the substate, and for good reason. The Dutchmen rank within the top 12 in both scoring offense (7th, 70.2) and defense (12th, 52.7) in Class 3A, one of only five teams to have that distinction. Despite losing Mr. Basketball Jesse Van Kalsbeek to graduation, they've pretty much picked up right where they left off from last year's state semifinalist team. They're led by a trio of seniors - [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (19.8, 45.5 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (12.0, 3.6 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (11.1, 7.2 rebounds), while junior [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] (10.9, 53.8 FG%) also averages in double digits. Aalbers is a high-level shooter both off the dribble and the catch, while Langton and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2887838' first='Carter' last='Van Gelder'] (7.5, 4.1 assists) are the ones who set the table offensively. Vander Pol holds down the painted area, and Punt is a versatile, highly athletic forward who can defend two through five at this level. The Dutchmen have already beaten first-round opponent LeMars (by 20) and swept potential semifinal opponent Sioux Center (by 22 and 43), setting them up to host the substate final against likely either Sergeant Bluff-Luton or Glenwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: Glenwood </strong>has put together a really nice season, going 17-4 with two of the losses coming to teams from Nebraska, one to one of the best teams in 2A (Kuemper Catholic), and one to a solid 4A Lewis Central team. The Rams have a ton of offensive weapons, with six players averaging at least 6.1 points per game, led by senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2617473' first='Ayden' last='Gibson'] (18.7, 782 rebounds). A long, lanky wing with great size, he can score from all three levels efficiently, posting 50-46-56 shooting splits. Drew Schroeder (10.3, 51.1 FG%) is another efficient scorer who does most of his damage around the rim, and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2731811' first='Jack' last='Johnson'] (10.3, 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists) has been reliable as a playmaker. The Rams will get their first two games at home as a result of being the #2 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horse(s): </strong>Whoever comes out of the 3-6 matchup at the bottom of the bracket will have a good chance to make some real noise in this substate. <strong>Third-seeded Sergeant Bluff-Luton</strong> is playing pretty good ball lately, winning four straight heading into postseason play, including an impressive blowout of Lewis Central. The Warriors have some real young talent, led in scoring by two sophomores, a junior, and a freshman. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2754687' first='Ajay' last='Vander Schaaf'] (16.5, 46.9 3P%) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2772340' first='Kylen' last='Vander Schaaf'] (8.1, 37.3 3P%), the sons of coach Adam Vander Schaaf, are a pair of high-level shooters who can space the floor for [player_tooltip player_id='2754699' first='Gavin' last='Ahrendt'] (10.1, 6.3 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1978139' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'] (8.1, 4.2 assists). SB-L is always a tough, physical team that is going to play good defense, share the ball (18.5 assists) and limit mistakes. They'll be tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heelan</strong> has had a down year, going just 8-11 at time of writing, but the Crusaders split with Sergeant Bluff-Luton during the regular season, and if they can take the rubbermatch, they'd (likely) get a Glenwood team that plays a weaker schedule than they do throughout the regular season. Sioux City North transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1765514' first='Noah' last='Conley'] (14.7) is the leading scorer for the Crusaders. He's a quick guard who can score from all three levels and create looks off the dribble for his teammates. Senior Charlie Vaandrager (8.9, 5.5 rebounds) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2731823' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] (8.8, 6.8 rebounds) control the glass, and this is a team that in general rebounds pretty well on both ends of the floor. Knowing that they've split with SB-L should give them some confidence heading into postseason play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to Watch<br></span>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2617473' first='Ayden' last='Gibson'] (Glenwood)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731811' first='Jack' last='Johnson'] (Glenwood)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754687' first='Ajay' last='Vander Schaaf'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754699' first='Gavin' last='Ahrendt'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721680' first='Cael' last='Bruning'] (Spencer)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906403' first='Braedon' last='Perez-Hietbrink'] (Sioux Center)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731903' first='Cody' last='Sandbulte'] (Sioux Center)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765514' first='Noah' last='Conley'] (Heelan)<br>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731820' first='Dallas' last='McDowell'] (Harlan)<br>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754668' first='Kobe' last='Klaassen'] (Harlan)<br>2025 Josef Reisz (Harlan)<br>2025 Tate Murphy (LeMars)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenwood at MOC-Floyd Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The bottom of the bracket is much more likely to produce some chaos, with arguments that could be made for Glenwood, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, or Heelan to come out of the bottom. Any of the three will be underdogs in the substate final, which starting this year will be played at the highest remaining seed, giving MOC-Floyd Valley an edge. The Dutchmen are athletic, experienced from last year's state tournament run, and get this game at home. Edge <strong>MOC-Floyd Valley</strong>, Dutchmen back to Des Moines for the second year in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->